I saw a saying on Facebook this week that went something like this:

You would never invite a thief into your house.  So, why would you allow thoughts that steal your joy to make themselves at home in your mind?

That statement makes a very good point, but I thought it needed a little more.  Thus, this blog post was born!

We do it all the time!  You know it’s true as you’re guilty of it yourself.  Intrusive thoughts worm their way into our minds throughout the day.  Some times we can quickly dismiss them when we realize the garbage that is trying to fill our heads.  Other times it is hard to stop obsessing over those same thoughts that just will not go away.

We beat ourselves up over things in the past.  Things that we have no power to change now.  The past is history.  It’s over, except for the memory left behind.  Good or bad, it is up to you whether you allow the good from the situation to remain engraved in your memory or whether you will allow the bad that occurred to overshadow the fun times and good memories.  Which would you rather focus on?  Surely not the bad.  Then why DO we allow those bad thoughts to remain?  Kick them out!  Don’t let them live in your head any more.  They threaten to steal every bit of your joy and happiness.

It sounds silly to even say this, but I’m going to any way.  When an intrusive negative thought just will not go away, command it to do so.  Even if you have to say STOP! out loud – DO IT!   Force those negative thoughts out by the power of that one word and allow good memories to rush in to take their place.  If this doesn’t work, try putting a rubber band around your wrist.  If you find yourself obsessing over a negative thought, something that brought you pain in the past, or a situation that was simply out of your control, pop that rubber band!  Once you feel the sting of it against your wrist, it will bring you back to the present day and make you realize that the pain that thought provided was not just emotional pain and mental anguish, now it is physically causing pain.  This alone should be enough to make you stop hurting yourself with the thoughts that you’re allowing to remain.

Whatever it takes, replace the negatives with positives!  Drive out the negative thoughts with bible verses that you’ve memorized.  Drive out the negative thoughts by reciting a poem.  If that fails, then put on some of your most favorite music and turn it up as loud as you can stand it.  Then sing to it to the top of your lungs.  I promise you that you will feel better afterwards!  But please … don’t put a sad song on repeat.  Find something uplifting that will leave you feeling like you’re ready to soar through the sky afterwards like a beautiful eagle or a butterfly visiting the various different flowers on a bright afternoon.  Let the music lift you higher and take you to your happy place.

So answer truthfully.  Is there a thief in your house?  Consider your head the house that we’re speaking of at this point. Have you allowed negative thoughts to occupy your mind?  Have they strolled through, kicked back on the couch in your mind and put their feet up while they sip coffee, refusing to leave you in peace?  If so, it is time to kick that thief out!  Do not allow them to steal one more happy thought from you.  Do not allow the thief to take one more positive thing from your mind that is the house.  Drive the thief out.

It will take practice, but you can redirect your thinking.  It is possible if you view your brain, mind, or your thoughts as the horse and you as the rider.  That horse likes to be stubborn at times and do what it wants to do.  It wants to go where there is no trail and carry you through briars and bushes, getting you all tangled up along the way.  By the time this horse finishes, you’re battered and bruised.  But, you can take back control at any time.  Pull back on those reins before it’s too late, and redirect this horse.  You are the confident rider taking charge and are back in full control again.

Take action today and no longer allow your thoughts to run away with you.

You CAN do this!

I have faith in you.